DFS Army’s Gthom breaks down some preseason buzz to watch around the NFL with regards to fantasy football!
- Follow Gthom on the cesspool they call twitter, @GarettThomas.
Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon’s Time Share
Last season this duo was split exactly 50/50. You cannot ignore the talent of Williams or Gordon. Both players could start at running back for a lot of NFL teams. Finding the edge in this duo could largely depend on how things shake up in the preseason.
As it stands right now, Gordon seems to be the safest player to target purely from an ADP standpoint. Williams is being drafted as the RB11 or pick 20 overall. There is no doubt that Williams could pay off his ADP but if this is a true split backfield, Williams is likely being drafted at his ceiling. Gordon’s ADP is RB34 and usually falls off the board at pick 94 overall.
We know there will be a time share between the two; how much has yet to be determined by the new coaching staff. Offensive coordinator, Justin Outten, stated that the duo will be on a ‘pitch count’ according to the @theScore on twitter.
The Broncos seem committed to using an RB by committee approach with Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams. pic.twitter.com/2SfEr8LQGi
— theScore (@theScore) August 9, 2022
The duo’s splits at camp have been heavily debated amongst beat writers. No one is going to know for sure how this backfield will shake up, but it is interesting to look at practice trends.
The Broncos 1st team RB split for reps between Williams and Gordon and has NOT been 70/30.
Per reps chart it's 54/46
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) August 4, 2022
While early reports in camp had Williams and Gordon splitting 70/30, respectively, Benjamin Allbright is reporting that “the Broncos 1st team RB split for reps between Williams and Gordon has NOT been 70/30. Per reps chart it’s 54/46.” This seems to put an end to the official breakout of Javonte Williams… Or, does it? Because Melvin Gordon is apparently having a foot injury evaluated according to head coach Nathaniel Hackett (tweet from Jeff Legwold).
Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said after Wednesday’s practice RB Melvin Gordon III didn’t practice due to foot injury… said it’s being evaluated.
— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) August 10, 2022
Gordon missing time instantly boosts Williams into elite RB1 territory. It’s worth noting that Gordon’s injury is still being evaluated. Head coach Nathaniel Hackett made no implication the injury was serious.
Conclusion
Monitor Gordon’s injury. It sounds safe to assume Gordon will return well within the NFL preseason. If he does, keep looking for utilization trends from beat writers and be sure to see how these players are utilized during their limited time in NFL preseason games.
Isiah Pacheco the Real Deal?
One of the most talked about players in the NFL preseason is running back Isiah Pacheco. The former Rutgers player landed on the Chiefs as a seventh-round pick even though he tied the fastest 40-time at the NFL Combine.
Let’s get to know Isiah Pacheco:
-Played @ Rutgers for 4 years
-5’10” , 216 lbs Powerful RB
-Tied for the fastest 40 time at the combine (4.37💨)
-Picked Round 7, Pick 30 by the KC Chiefs
-Rave reviews from training camp, especially from Andy Reid 📈 pic.twitter.com/epnMKMD9Dm
— Joe Beldner (@JoeBeldner) August 10, 2022
The buzz around the rookie running back has already created further insecurity about Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Ronald Jones. Pacheco has been turning some heads at practice too. Head coach Andy Reid even said that Pacheco is “…going to run hard…” and, “He’s is a good catcher…”
#Chiefs HC Andy Reid on rookie RB Isiah Pacheco: "The thing you can guarantee is that he's going to run hard. . . he's a good catcher . . . he's learning the feel of it."
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) August 6, 2022
Pacheco can certainly catch the football too. Take a look at this hype-piece from KC Sports Network and Joe O’Leary.
The Isiah Pacheco drumbeat keeps getting louder and louder 🥁
I’ll never forget what he said after being drafted by the Chiefs
“Ready to give 120%, competing and willing to take another grown man's job” pic.twitter.com/cxvsszJWrk
— Joe O’Leary (@TheHQNerd) August 4, 2022
While there is a hyperbolic amount of hype around Pacheco, there is reason to believe he will have a role in this offense. James Palmer reported that Pacheco ran with the first-string offense during practice and that Pacheco is the fastest back on the Chiefs.
#chiefs rookie RB Isiah Pacheco had some run with the 1's again today. He's picking up the offense and the protections faster than they thought. He's physical & their fastest back. They know he'll run hard, but they want to see if he'll break tackles in the NFL. Guy to watch
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 7, 2022
Yes it may feel like noise with Pacheco… Very rarely does a seventh-round draft pick become a fantasy relevant player for managers. But the disappointment of Clyde Edwards-Helaire and low-upside of Ronald Jones makes Pacheco’s ascension possible and more interesting.
Conclusion
Realistically, Pacheco is not going to be fantasy relevant in 2022, but crazier things have happened. As a rookie seventh-round pick he should get plenty of run during the preseason and it will be important to monitor him during those reps. Hopefully we can see him used with the first-team going against another team’s starters. If you have interest, keep your expectations realistic and only draft Pacheco as your last one-or-two players.
Alvin Kamara May* Play The Full Year
While Kamara is preparing for the 2022 season he is deeply mixed up into legal issues stemming from his trip to the 2022 Pro Bowl game in Las Vegas. During his time at the NFL event, Kamara (and two other men) allegedly punched and kicked a man multiple times causing serious bodily harm. As a result, Kamara has been charged with felony battery. It is worth noting that Kamara even confessed that he threw “a couple punches thinking the guy was running away.”
Now that you understand the issue in-full, we turn our eyes to the legal proceedings. It is a bit of a ride so buckle up.
First, it is important to establish the NFL’s “normal” way of handling suspensions revolving criminal issues. Normally the NFL stays silent regarding suspensions while criminal investigations and trials are ongoing. Kamara’s first hearing for this criminal case was scheduled for August 1st, 2022. Kamara did not appear in court but his lawyers did, according to David Charns.
In court for Alvin Kamara’s hearing this morning regarding charges in a February beating at a Las Vegas nightclub. @nick_underhill reports Kamara is at practice and not in Las Vegas.
— David Charns (@davidcharns) August 1, 2022
According to the August hearing, the case will be delayed another two months. And as Mike Triplett points out, “[the next court date] isn’t even the beginning of a trial… It could still be quite a while before any potential NFL discipline is decided.
Alvin Kamara’s next court date delayed another two months — and that isn’t even the beginning of a trial yet. So it could still be quite a while before any potential NFL discipline is decided. https://t.co/zhyB63cmdU
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) August 1, 2022
With a two month delay, this case could easily fly through the fantasy season and Kamara may not experience any suspensions (assuming the NFL waits for the legal process to unfold). As Drew Davenport points out, any trial is likely to happen late in 2022 or even early 2023.
But now we are almost into October with a status date of 9/29. If it gets set for trial we are easily into December or 2023. Not to mention any possible evidentiary issues or motions that might take extra time.
I believe Kamara plays all of 2022, subject to two caveats.
3/
— Drew Davenport (@DrewDavenportFF) August 2, 2022
As Drew Davenport mentions later in his tweet thread, Kamara is not guaranteed to avoid a suspension this year. There are two scenarios that Davenport sees as possible ways to an in-season suspension happening: 1. Plea negotiations and 2. Video evidence.
2 – The Video
I've talked about this ad nauseum so I won't do it again, but if that video leaks all bets are off as to what the NFL decides to do, including the possibility of the Exempt list.
I consider #2 possible, but I consider #1 unlikely (but a non-zero chance).
5/
— Drew Davenport (@DrewDavenportFF) August 2, 2022
Conclusion
Kamara has lessened his risk for the 2022 season, but he still carries immense risk. While it was hard to stomach his ADP leading up to the hearing, getting him in the 2nd round may be the discount fantasy managers need in order to accept Kamara’s risk. Proceed with caution and keep checking in to see future updates.
